LAND PURCHASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 242, 9 October 1920, Page 13

LAND PURCHASE.

WHY NOT COMPULSION ? ATTACK AND RETORT. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELTjIiXGTOX, Friday. A strong plea for the revival of compulsory land purchase was made by Mr. T. M. WiWord, (Leader of the Opposition) speaking on the bill which ex;.ends by cix millions the amount of money to be borrowed for discharged soldiers settlement. He suggested that tlie best was not be : ng done" There had, he said, been utter failure over soldier settlement; not because of the want of sympathy, but for want of knowledge and failure to take land compulsorily. The Government passed an 'Act in '1915 making provision for compulsory acquisition. Mr. M/esey: A good provision too. Mr. uilford: A good window dressing rather. (Laughter.) He reminded the Premier that lie had mentioned in 1915 being in negotiation for 15 estates, and that he could apply the compi.-lsory provisions, also provision regarding payment by debentures it necessary. He had made about 20,000 subdivision*, but ■failed to say how many settlers were involved. Mr. Maseey: 90 per cent is settlement. Mr. Wilford went on to say that not one block of land hnd been taken coinpuleorily. Hon. W. Nosworthv: You don't deny there has been a 'tremendous lot of settlement? Mr. Wilford: I don't know what prices the Government ha? been paying. He went on to quote Mr. (Harrard (Commissioner of Crown Landa in Canterbury), on the subject of high prices asked on private purchases, and referred, with approval, to his suggestion that the law should be altered to provide that valuations should be increased to within ■ten per cent of the price asked. Mr. Massey: These pricee # were not paid. 'Mr. W'lford: And that land was not taken either? Hon. l>. H. Guthrie: TheTe was no necessity for it. Mt. 'Wilford: Ii one property had been taken those Wairarapa lands would have 'been settled. Mr, Massey: That is most unjust. There are 030 men settled in Wairarapa. Mr. Wilford went on to ask what the member for Gieborne had to cay about the number of soldiers settled in h-.a district. He could say what land was available, and how much had been taken compulsorily. He knew there were large areas which would be suitable for soldiers settlement. A member: What about the Williams Estate? Mr. Wilford: A lot is too rough lor settlement, but it ie a crying ehante that lands are held by men in large areas because the Government will not take them compulsorily. Hon. W. Jipeworthy: It is not wortn while under our system of taxation. / A MINISTERIAL ANSWER. The Hon. ID. H. Guthrie (Minister in Charge of Soldier Settlement), declared that the statements- were exaggerated. Apparently Mr. Wilford did not know the amount of land wjhich had been obtained in the 'Wairarapa, nor did mc know of the number of cases in which the Land Department had inquired into the desirability of compulsorily purchasing estates. They had found homes for | 15,000 men, and 'had over 764,000 acres at 'present awaiting settlement. Since 1945 the Government thad put more men on the land than 'had been done in the previous fifteen yews. They had not in one instance pai4 the price which was ifirst asked. Mr IWilford: iXobody does, but wliy don't you ask Court to test the pree? Mr. Guthrie aeked if Mr. Wilford knew that one property he- had mentioned had been turned down. It was offered to ■the -Government at a price which was a gift to anyone who could work it ac a whole but it was not .practicable for cutting up for settlement Another Wairarapa property was got tor half the price asked, and if 'they had taken it by arb'tration probably half as much again would have been awarded as was paid. The Government had been to buy land around Gieborne, and !na"d made some purchases. Mr. WilfoTd: Take between Dannevirke an* Hastings. Mr Guthrie: We have bought two estates including, one of 1<5.000 acres. We have bought 31 properties in Hawke s IBay, and 3 in tGieborne, one of which is settled, and we ere negotiating for one of the best properties in that district for settling returned soldiers. \!t 12 "0 Mr. Massey roee to renly, deprecating a. policy of taking land oy compulsion for settlement purposes because of the cost and d«laye causea by the court's proceedings. If land was to •be provided for soldiers, the most exped,tious method was to pass the Taxation © : 11 now before the House, impose a graduated land tax, and if land was in Existence it would come under settlement. It was 'then read a thir.l tme and the big estates were which some members talked of co glibly. The second reading was agreed to on the voices, and tHie House went into committee on the bill, which was put through In five minutes without amendment. t>l was then read a third time and passed.